Flagstaff Goodwill’s Public Policy Efforts Lauded at Annual Advocacy Event
ROCKVILLE, MD – Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) has been honored with a 2012 Advocacy Leader Award from Goodwill Industries International.
The award recognizes a Goodwill agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s advocacy and policy efforts to further its mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. The agency is also recognized for enhancing relationships with federal and state policymakers.
Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona is recognized for reaching out to lawmakers on issues important to Goodwill’s mission of helping people find jobs and become self-sufficient. The agency has endeavored to increase efforts in all areas of advocacy to impact public policy and change. It has advocated on a variety of issues, including funding for employment programs such as the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, as well as job creation.
The Flagstaff Goodwill has had several local representatives tour its operations, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-1) and Rep. Trent Franks (R-2). Gosar was the keynote speaker for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Safeway training center, a mini Safeway located within the walls of the Goodwill headquarters. Franks toured a job connection, one-stop training center, which is an inclusive center for people seeking education and career and job training help, including résumé and interview preparation assistance.
The Goodwill is an active member of the Flagstaff Chamber Board of Directors, the Education and Workforce Development Committee and the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona.
“Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona plays a key role in the economic development of the community via job creation as well as in workforce development by putting thousands of people to work each year,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The Goodwill also serves as a source of pre-screened, job-ready candidates who can meet the needs of local businesses throughout northern Arizona.”
At a reception in Washington, DC on Tuesday, April 17, David Hirsch, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona, accepted the award on behalf of the agency.
“Our Goodwill organization is honored to receive the Advocacy Leader Award and will continue to be a passionate advocate for the entrepreneurial nature of Goodwill and our influence on people facing challenges to finding employment,” said Hirsch. “We hope that our efforts in engaging lawmakers will increase our visibility as a social enterprise and our role in economic, fiscal and workforce development impact in northern Arizona.”
The award was presented during a reception that was part of Goodwill Industries International’s sixth annual Advocacy Day — “Local to Global: Strengthening Our Community” in Washington, DC.
